Hi all: I am here Sandra, perking along in the pink. We just got a estimate for our a new roof, over $6,000.00 No wonder our money goes so quickly eh? Actually I was a saver and we saved enough that David could retire comfortably at 56. His job was stressful and you burn out if you keep at it.
I think it was easier then it is for you young people today. We did have help from my parents also.
Wow, Sandra you and Curtis are famous now, getting interviewed. Let us know how it goes.

How many of you girls count points also as well as Core. I have to be honest I try and eat close to Core but I am counting all the way. I go to the Dr. every three months and he keeps track of my weight. I feel so lumpy as I said but because of the meds I take it is harder to lose.

I made the salmon patties tonight and they were good. Some one mentioned them a few days ago and it has been on my mind ever since. I also made the best pumpkin pie. I have tried about 4 that are posted on the net but did not like them until I found this one. It is not core though as it does have flour. The points are low on it though.

I wonder when w.w. will change their diet again. Seems to me they change every once in a while. Vicki you sound so sad about your weight. I wish their was something to cheer you. Life is not always fair is it. My husband went out and ate 6 desserts at the buffet the other day and he does not gain a lb. I just look at him in wonder. lol

Niki, looking good, congratulations on the loss.

Froufie, maybe things are going to look better to you, nice to her hubby had some good news about contracts.

Paula you did have a easy time at work but lifting has to be hard on the back. Many nurses say it is hard to lift some of the people.

Angela hope you like your new hair style. I can not do much with mine as it is very short.

Well must go to town and get some hair dye, and hit the dye pot.
Blue skies,
Rose

hi there, rose. it's good to see your smiling post here. salmon patties sound good. i think kathy and someone else were talking about them a few days ago. i am counting pts while doing core. (just really started today) i'm glad your doctor is keeping his eyes on you.

wow! roofs are expensive, aren't they? we just had our house painted on the outside. that was pricey, too. glad we don't have to do it often.

have a good evening. get that hair dyed.

Niki, sounds like you are a busy woman! Glad you are getting some "relief" from dd.

Kathy, DH is mowing here too. We've already eaten though. I got to leave work about 1/2 hour early and you would have thought I'd won the lottery, I came home and was so productive. I'm glad that you got a good report at the doctor's office. You have been through so much and still not managed to gain your weight back. Very impressive girlie!

Rose, have fun with the hair dye. $6000 for a roof!!! I hope that doesn't come my way any time soon.

DH has been mowing and I've been planting my marigolds in the veggie garden, keeping fingers crossed that it will keep the cat away. I got the prettiest 4 pk of marigolds at the farmer's market Saturday for $1. They had all sorts of annuals and I'm wishing I had gotten some more. I think I'll go back this week and see if they are there again. There was another booth that had hanging baskets for $6!! But when I got there all I had left was $3. Hopefully next weekend!
Well I need to go do my flylady "mission" for today, pack lunches, pick out clothes for tomorrow, etc. Today was so much less stressful because I had done those things last night.
BBL.

kathy - congrats on getting rid of the boot - before you know it you'll be back in your stilettos? When are you planning to get back on your motorcycle?

Vickie - hang in there - like Niki said you have already lost 45 LBS - that is an amazing loss and you have kept it off which is even harder to do. I agree w/Kathy maybe shaking things up a bit will help?

Niki - I bet you will be thrilled once dd drops the naps and goes to bed early - at least you will have some evening time to yourself!

Melissa - good luck w/the marigolds - let us know if it works! I do plan on planting some tomatoes along side of the house and wondering if my bunny friends will get into them? (or some other creatures?). And it's time for us to mow as well - we have had so much rain I can't believe how fast the grass is growing!

rose - so what color is the dye pot? I was going to try that hair glaze I got the other day (my roots are starting to show and my blonde highlights are fading) anyhow I get it all ready and out and start reading the directions and such and there is says on the page: not recommended for highlights! Well for goodness sake - do ya think you maybe should have put that on the OUTSIDE of the box? (so people like me would not have bought the stuff if they could were not supposed to use it?) Luckily I had not opened any tubes/bottles so stuffed everything back in the box and I guess I shall just hold onto it for a while. I might try it later on once my highlights have really grown out and before I redo them - to see how the product works!

And yes I tried the new mousse again and still not that fond of it - while it does add volume it does not have 'firmness' - hard to explain - hair is too fluffy and no real 'hold' to the volume - will start looking around for something else to try! (got some coupons in mail for new product called 'sunsilk' made for different hair problems - and yes Angela there will be one for poufy/frizzy hair - not out til end of the month but I might give it a try - buy 2 products and get the 3rd free).

No comfort food for me - altho I have not been eating well or core for that matter. Big ds brought the "Dunn's special' home last night so I had some of the leftovers! ($9.99 for smoked meat, rye bread, container of potato salad and cole slaw).

Picked up dd at friends - did the tim horton's drive thru for coffee and goodies for kids - then home for tv watching. Frankly it did not feel as satisfying an evening as I had imagined it to be when at work?

Tomorrow is another birthday lunch out - chinese food no less! http://www.shanghaiottawa.com/

...oh and here's a pic dd found on dance school website (www.planetdanceinc.com) - this is the entire competitive team in their "le jazz hot' showstopping lineup. If you look at the row sticking out farthest to the right - she is the 2nd one in.

You' d think I would be ready for bed now (but I'm not!)

Frouf

Melissa, our son offered to come down and help dh put on a new roof but I heard dh say, "Thanks, but no thanks" It costs a lot to even get rid of the shingles so dh said I would rather have them come and do it in a day.

Sandra, the roof was put on 1980 and dh and ds put it on and it cost $700.00 and we thought that was bad and now $6,000.00.

Oh I forgot to say it is in the dye pot tomorrow, I do it myself. It is kind of light brown.

Well must go listen to the news.
Blue Skies,
Rose

Froufie I go to Tim Horton's nearly every day. We meet friends there for coffee. I don't think our American friends have very many Horton's in U.S.
Our coffee shops are full all the time.
I have never heard of that Chinese Restaurant. We went to a new one in our area with friends last week. It was called Imperial I believe.

I could not see the picture, I wonder if it is just my computer or what, can you other gals see it.

Well you all are probably tucked in by now, I am a night hawk. I usually go to bed about 1a.m. but I do not get up until 8 a.m I am fortunate I do not have to get up during the night like so many of my friends do.

Hmm, just wondering the difference between this and the other one I usually post on. I wonder if this will work I think this would take me more time I would be looking up all these smilies.
Don't pay any attention to me I am just having fun.
I guess there will be lots of bugs still up North.
well I am going to post and see what happens.
Rose

frouf, what a gorgeous group of young dancers. your buttons must be popping with pride. congratulations to you, too, for not having comfort foods today. i stayed core and need to go post. i'm behind.

rose, i love it!!! i'm right there with you hitting buttons.

melissa, get some more annuals. you're making me want some, too. you know i have to copy you.

Good Morning Chicks! I'm up early because I had a bad dream. I hope to nap later. My weight is down a smidgen this morning so at least I've stopped gaining. I don't even want to calculate what I'm at now because it is no longer 45 pounds down. My attitude is feeling better this morning, although it's still not great. I'm trying. My body is very sore from walking at a faster speed for a slower amount of time. I decided that faster was better. We'll see.

We didn't watch Shawshank Redemption last night but watched Wimbledon instead. I think Honey Lamb was afraid to show me such a serious movie right before bed. It was a cute romantic story with a bit of humor.

Kath, I'm trying to watch my portions but I'm not going to worry about being at 30 points. That's what I'm supposed to eat for my weight. WW always says you should eat your minimum points. I will try very hard not to use my WPA's for anything frivoulous. I shall try to stick to Core foods. Sometimes, though, I really want my margarine. That is often what I spend my points on. I'm a fat and carb addict through and through. Every meal is a battle. That's just the best news ever about your foot! I'd hold off on the motorcycle for a while though. I guess he thought the swelling was normal? You are a very lucky woman to have bounced back so quickly. I really thought it would be about 6 months before you got back into a regular shoe. I'm sure that your postive attitude and desire to get into the shoe helped. Now you can REALLY be back to running your household. What did you end up eating for dinner?

Melissa, those treats sound yummy! I think I'll pass until I'm more in control. Is there a recipe or is it really just cool whip between two graham crackers? You are really being a motivation for me. I'm glad you're planning and organizing. It seems to be helping your stress level alot!

Niki, I hope your Mom is home from her trip and that you can stop worrying about her. My Niece is going through the same with her 5 year old DD. She doesn't really want her naps anymore so it's pretty much agreed. The almost 3 year old LOVES his naps. He'll be the hard one to break.

Rose, our new roof cost us $9,750 almost 4 years ago. We upgraded to the shingles that look like shake effect and put water barrier all along all the peaks and valleys to guard from ice dams and such. We really have to worry about that stuff here in the Midwest where we have snow and ice on the roof alot. It was also complicated by the fact that we have a ranch house which means more roof surface since we are all on one level. I almost fainted when they gave us the quote.

Frouf, sorry you can't use the glaze. I decided to have highlights done again for summer. I feel too dark and one dimensional at the moment. Your lunch today could be very delicous and fattening! I love hot and sour soup which I think is Core. I'd be trying to fill up on that while trying not to notice crunchy eggrolls all around. If they have anything healthy, they sure weren't bragging about it. I LOVED the picture of the girls in their dance costumes. Emily looks like an adorable Frouf with a nice smile. Let me know if you find a great volume mousse. Jim uses the Fructis one that you mentioned the other day but he doesn't really want volume, just hold. I use a Redken one and it's pretty good but not great. I understand what you mean when you talk about it not having hold. I look nice when I style it but then I have to spray it too or it won't stay. I'd like to skip the spray. I hope you got to sleep at a decent hour and that we won't be hearing a report from a very sleepy Frouf this morning!

Ok, off to post my menu. I actually know what we are having for dinner. The point thing is annoying because now I have to break down all the recipes and try to figure points. Harumpf.

Morning friends!

Sandra, you are so silly. You don't copy me. Right now I'm following in your footsteps. Lead the way! I do plan on getting some more flowers. I love them and am excited to finally have a yard of my own to invest in. How are your roses by the way?

Rose, looks like you had fun with the smilies! You sure are a night owl. I am always so tired.

Frouf, sounds like you didn't get to rest all that much last night. Good luck at the Chinese place. I know there are lots of core options but I love the fried rice and eggrolls too much. I better stop thinking about it.

Kathy, I hope that you are feeling good this morning!

Vickie, you sound like you are in better spirits today. I loved Wimbledon! I think that's a cute movie. Probably a good choice for you yesterday too. I'm sorry that you are frustrated with counting points but maybe it will help in the long run. And I'm almost embarrassed for you to say that I am motivating...you have always inspired me!

I weighed myself this morning (meant to yesterday) and am changing my ticker accordingly. I also measured my arms, waist, and hips last night. Yes, I'm getting serious! I didn't exercise last night but did dig around in the garden and worked up a mild sweat.

Better get to work. I hope that you all have a great core day!

Melissa, you are motivating, especially in the last week! Hey...you should give yourself some credit in your exercise ticker for your gardening.

I'm going to try to count points for my meal plan today and then I'm going to walk on the treadmill today. I'd like to get off this gain before I go back to WW next Monday.

Good morning all you eager beavers. It's so good to hear the positive vibes around here. Melissa, you are very inspiring. You're enthusiasm is contageous, you go girl!

We saw DaVinci, and not having read the book, were somewhat confused. I had to call sis in Toronto to find out what was happening. She had read the book and was disappointed with the movie. She complained that it went too fast. It was almost like a chase movie with lots of characters. Don't get me wrong, we found it okay, but it missed something. I don't want to give anything away.

We went for a wonderful walk along the Jock River in Stonebridge (for Frouf). It's like being at the cottage and was nice until the bugs came out. We were there for about an hour, so I was happy. We then went to a pool in Manothick and got their schedule. You can buy 8 passes (4 entries for Bern and I) for $55.00. I think that we're going to try it. You can join for $350.00 a season, but they were sold out this year and are only allowing visitor passes. I just love being close to water for occasional dips. Vickie, didn't know that you have a pool, you lucky girl!

Also stopped at nursery. My annuals are gazinias?? I'm really pleased with the look.

Okay, time to get ready for massage, bbl to see what's happening.

Vicki, wow, now that is expensive. You must have a huge roof. I think I know the shingles you got and they are real nice. Glad to hear you are feeling better today. It is not nice to feel down.

Yes, I am a night hawk, I love the evenings. You don't have to make meals (which I hate doing anymore) also the evening is so quiet and for some reason I am energized Well not quite that much.

Froufie, the picture did show up after all, now I have to go look and find your dd. They are amazing aren't they?
Sorry the glazing was not the thing to do right now. (I sound like I know what I am talking about but I have no idea what glazing is)

Saundra, I did not go to see Da Vinci, you think I would when we are taking a study course in it but for some reason I have not had the interest. I guess I heard too many people say they did not care for it. I probably will go before the summer is up.

Sandra so what is new today in your life
You have done so well keep it up. I am trying real hard also.

Well I have numerous letters to read and answer so I will bid you all goodbye.
Blue Skies,
Rose

Good morning! It sounds like everybody's doing so good today -- I'm happy that we're all happy!!

I made my fairy delivery this morning and have tomorrow's planned; then I suppose that's all because they're inducing her on Thursday. We'll go over either Sunday or Monday and take dinner, and I'll tell her at that time that it was me. She's going to be shocked because her husband told me yesterday she's convinced it's the neighbor. PUNK'D!

Vickie, I hope you don't think that I'm being critical of your counting or not counting, portions, etc. I am SO not! I'm as puzzled as you because of all of us, you're the one who sticks strictly to the plan. I hope it turns around quickly and was relieved to see that you reported a little drop this morning. And I'm glad to see you say that it's all relative, because sometimes I feel bad complaining about 5 pounds. To me, it's 5 pounds more than I want to be so it's unacceptable. I am holding off going back to meetings (of course, I'm still paying for them!) until I'm at least where I was when I first weighed in. That might be the wrong approach but so far, it hasn't really been planned -- just convenient coincidence that I couldn't go. And even tomorrow, the Air Force is here and we're having a lunch, so I probably can't go then either. Last week I wasn't here at noon when the meetings are.

So anyway, I'm going to read some more but I wanted to make sure you knew I am definitely on your side and don't want you to think otherwise!

Morning all...first day of summer vacation here. It's going well...we got all our jobs done, I went to weigh in (more on that later), and then off to the little local farm animal zoo. Turns out they are doing little make and take crafts every morning there this week, and scavenger hunts in the afternoon. Fun! Anyway, the girls enjoyed it, although their favorite thing to see was several ducks fighting over a dead frog. Eww!

At weigh-in, I was a little shocked. I have been weighing myself at home, nekkid before breakfast, so I knew it was going to be up, but not THAT much up. It was 132.2. Eeek! My "goal" is 131, so I really need to shape up, and soon. I think my birthday threw me off the wagon again. I feel like a broken record, climbing back on yet again, but what else can I do?

Time to go get lunch for the kiddos.

Angela

Life gets in the way sometimes, doesn't it? I'm sure you'll be right back where you want to be in no time flat. It's such an important lesson to learn, for me anyway, that maintenance is as hard (maybe harder?) than losing! I have people at work asking why am I still eating FF this and FF that, and watching calories, and counting points, and I tell them because if I don't, I am in danger of regaining it all.

I forgot to answer Vickie's question about what we had for dinner last night. I think it's partly the reason I'm also up a pound or so this morning. We went to the Chinese buffet and I had a very large plate. It was things like green beans and garlic shrimp and a teeny bit of fried rice, but then there was the sweet and sour chicken (fried) and orange chicken (also fried and drenched in sauce) ... so I might as well have just eaten right out of the salt shaker. The doctor mentioned yesterday that I might be retaining some water in those damaged tendons and so I think when I go to the regular doctor again, I might ask for my BP medicine to be changed to something with HCTZ in it. Meanwhile I'll just up my water intake even more to keep things flushed.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your insurance coverage) we live in an area where hail is common, so every few years the roofs around here are damaged and insurance pays to replace the roof. All we have is our deductible ... last time I think we paid maybe $1500?

Melissa, count that gardening, girl! I think anything that makes you sweat is definitely a form of exercise! Measuring yourself is a great idea too, because sometimes when the scale doesn't move our bodies are still reshaping.

Good luck at the lunch today, Frouf. I know how hard it is to behave at places like that ... just drink a lot of water!

They ordered in lunch (Red, Hot & Blue BBQ) and it just arrived. Imagine how it smells in here right now! Of course there is not one iota on that table that would be wise for me to eat except for the turkey, but I'm having turkey tonight. I'd better go get my FF cottage cheese and peaches out before I'm tempted.

Happy afternoon!